MacDill Happenings

In honor of Veteran’s Day , any active duty, activated, retired or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman is entitled to free admission on November 11, 2008 to Lowry Park Zoo. He or she will need to show a Department of Defense photo ID at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo ticket counter. Three direct dependents of military personnel also are entitled to free admission. Dependents may take advantage of the offer without their service member, though an adult must accompany minor dependents.  The Zoo has more that 2,000 animals in native habitats, rides for all ages and restaurants.  The Zoo is a 20 minute drive north of MacDill AFB off of I-275. Normal tickets prices are $18.95 for adults and $14.50 for ages 11-3 years old.

The 15th Annual Tampa Bay Veteran’s Day Parade will take place on 8 Nov from 10am to 12:30pm in Tampa in the Town ’n' Country neighborhood .  The parade route will run along Hanley Rd. between Barry Road and Paula Drive. The parade honoree will be Cpl. Aaron M Griner, USA, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in Jun 06. Cpl Griner was a proud son of Tampa, a graduate of Tampa Bay Tech and member of the 10th Mountain Division. Members of Cpl Griner’s family will lead the parade.  Bring chairs, blankets and water and come out and support local veterans!

On 10 Nov, Celtic Thunder will be in concert at the St. Pete Times Forum starting at 8pm.   Celtic Thunder is composed of 5 Celtic male soloists who perform both solos and ensemble numbers who sing Irish/Scottish traditional and contemporary music with powerful ballads, popular hits, and heartwarming songs of love and loss from across the Celtic music spectrum. The group is backed by the Celtic Concert Orchestra, and their live shows are known for the use of dramatic effect via lighting and choreography as well as a specifically constructed stage that resembles a ancient stone pathway, similar to Celtic lore. The MacDill AFB ITT has a limited number of specially priced tickets in Section 114 for $58.50, the gate price is $61.50. Parking is available at the South Parking garage next to the Forum or at the Channelside parking garage.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive night out, then stop by the MacDill AFB Movie Theater this weekend to check out the movies.  On Friday at 7pm the comedy “Burn After Reading” starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt is playing.  This movie is rated R for language, sexual content, and violence and has a run time of 96 minutes. At the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency in Arlington, VA., analyst Osbourne Cox arrives for a top-secret meeting. Unfortunately for Cox the secret is soon out: he is being ousted. Cox does not take the news well returning to his Georgetown home to work on his memoirs and his drinking. Elsewhere in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, and seemingly worlds apart, Hardbodies Fitness Center employee Linda Litske can barely concentrate on her work. She is consumed with her life plan for extensive cosmetic surgery, and confides her mission to can-do colleague Chad Feldheimer. When a computer disc containing material for the CIA analyst’s memoirs accidentally falls into the hands of Linda and Chad, the duo are intent on exploiting their find. On Saturday at 7pm another comedy “My Best Friend’s Girl” starring Kate Hudson is playing. This movie is rated R for strong language, sexual content, graphic dialogue, and nudity, and has a run time of 103 minutes. Alexis is the girl of Dustin’s dreams, but after only five weeks of dating, the love-struck Dustin is coming on so strong that Alexis is forced to slow things down permanently. Devastated and desperate to get her back Dustin turns to his best friend, Tank, the rebound specialist. Tank gets hired by freshly dumped guys to take their ex-girlfriends out on the worst date of their lives and experience so horrible it sends them running gratefully back to their beaus. But when Tank works his magic on Alexis he ends up meeting the challenge of a lifetime. Alexis is the first girl who knows how to call his bluff. Tank soon finds himself torn between his loyalty to Dustin and a strange new attraction to his best friend’s girl. Admission is $4 for patrons 12 years and older and $2 for those 5-11 years old. Remember a large popcorn and two medium softdrinks is only $10!

From Thursday 6 Nov until Sunday 9 Nov the Tampa Bay International Auto Show  will be at the Tampa Convention Center.  Come and check out the hundreds of new cars, crossovers, sport-utility vehicles, trucks and more. From gas-sipping compact cars to the latest alternative fuel vehicles, attendees can compare fuel-efficient options and learn more about eco-friendly transportation. This automotive extravaganza will also feature one-of-a-kind concept cars, pre-production models, and customized cars.  The Convention Center is located near downtown Tampa and parking is conveniently located right across the street at the Convention parking garage with a $5 daily fee. Hours are: Thursday and Friday Noon – 10 pm, Saturday 10 am – 10 pm, and Sunday 10 am – 6 pm.  Admission is $9 for 13 years and older; $4 for 62 years and older, military with an ID card, students with high school or college ID and children 7-12 years old. Children under 6 years old are free. On Thursday, students with a college ID can buy one ticket and get a second ticket for free. On Sunday, all children 12 and younger are free with a paying adult.

Military members get free admission at Dinosaur World in Plant City. 150 life size dinosaurs are displayed outdoors with explanatory signs. Children can dig for authentic fossils. The dinosaur museum has everything from dinosaur eggs to raptor claws. The “Caves” has a video theatre, subterranean picnic area, and displays. The Skeleton Garden has life sized skeletons. There is also a playground area for children. And don’t forget to stop by the Gift Shop before you leave. There is no food for sale, but you can bring a picnic and use the picnic tables.  Park hours are 9am to 6pm every day except Dec and Jan when park hours are 9am to 5pm. Parking is always free. You can buy discount tickets at the MacDill AFB ITT for $8.50 for adults and $6.25 for children 3-12 years old.

The Hillsborough County Fair starts this Wednesday 5 Nov and runs until Sunday 9 Nov.  The fair will take place at a new location, east of Brandon at the intersection of S.R. 60 and Sydney-Washer Rd.  The fair will feature carnival rides, fair food, youth livestock shows, an arts and crafts competition, entertainment and more. There will be a classic car show and plant sale on Saturday, November 8, and a chili cook-off on Sunday November 9.  There will be historical exhibits, flywheel engines, antique tractors, stream tractors and engines and an antique fire engine. Of course the  fair will have a beauty pageant.  Walgreens will be doing health screens at the fair.  Admission is $5  and children ages 8 and under are free.  You can purchase a wrist band for $18 for unlimited rides at the carnival.  The are also promotions on certain days for free admission.  Parking is free. 

If you want to learn how to make your own frames, then sign up for the 2 day Framing Class at the MacDill AFB Arts and Craft Center. If you have gone out recently to get a price estimate for framing, you know that parts are not too expensive. What is expensive is the labor cost of putting together the frame. Learn how to put together a frame yourself to save some money. Learn the basics such as chopping and glass cutting while assembling your own masterpiece. Class dates are 18 & 20 Nov from 10 am – 3 pm. The is cost $35 plus materials. This will be the last frame class until January, so plan to attend now. Call the Arts and Craft Center at 828-4413 for more information.

Today in Ybor City is the first Saturday Art Walk from noon to 6pm.  Ybor City is one of Tampa’s longest established arts communities and is a well known home to artist studios, galleries, theater groups, and filmmakers. Seventeen venues  throughout Ybor City are participating in this free event.  Stop by each venue and take  a look at works from local artists.   Included are the ROMEO Gallery, which is opening a new show titled “Godfather I,” and the Hoffman-Porges Gallery, which will feature the abstract expressionist work of Tampa artist John Fitzgerald. Art.  Most venues are within walking distance of Seventh Avenue. Don’t forget about the wonderful restaurants in Ybor City that will be open for lunch and dinner.  Parking in Ybor City is free at metered spots, but there are parking garages available for a fee.